OEM clutch or aftermarket?

[gr8fandini]

Need to put a clutch in the ole girl. This is the wife's daily driver and sees pretty much nothing but pavement. I've been a hardcore OEM guy on all replaced parts but I wanted to get some feedback on quality clutches. The vehicle is 17 yrs old with 150,000 miles on it so I don't really want some crazy high end off roading clutch. If I did change anything it would be to add some clamping pressure over the OEM but I don't want to compromise drivablity or spend a ton of money over an OEM clutch. I do pull a small 2000 lb jetski trailer from time to time and the clutch doesn't really like it when pulling a steep ramp. Drove it for the first time in the snow today and got a lot of wheel hop and chatter as well as what may have been some clutch smell. Any recommendations?

 

[T4R2014]

I'm pretty sure that you can get an Aisin clutch which is an OEM without the red box.

 

[clemson4r]

I am about to replace mine as well. Mine sees quite a bit of road too, which is why I will most likely go OEM (Aisin)

Max

 

[gr8fandini]

Where do you find Aisin brand clutches?

 

[UnderFire]

The napa brand ceramic/kevlar are very nice clutches as well, i can't speak directly for the v6's, but we've put them in 22R and 3RZ trucks, and they perform great, very nice feel.

 

[hambob]

Rock Auto has the aisin clutch kits.

 

[gr8fandini]

I bet it's hard to put a clutch on in the driveway. 5 speed tranny with 2 speed transfer case has got to be heavy. Is it possible to do this in the drive or would it be smarter to have a shop do it since they have a lift and a trans jack on hand?

 

[J. B.]

I don't see Aisin on rockauto... but they do have Luk.
I'd get the Luk from rock auto or if you want something a little beefier...

I went to eclutchmasters and got their stage 1 heavy duty kit.
So far it's working great w/ my supercharger and 33" tires. No issues at all.

they sell on ebay too...
Tundra 4Runner Tacoma T100 3 4L Eclutchmaster® Stage 1 Heavy Duty Clutch | eBay

 

[gr8fandini]

I guess putting a rear main seal in at the same time would be a good idea too?

 

[TheDurk]

Where do you find Aisin brand clutches?

Look for Aisin Kit CKT-040 for the 3.4L V6--includes clutch disk and cover, throw-out bearing and pilot bearing.

Amazon has them:

Aisin CKT-040 Clutch Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

There are some good deals on eBay, here is one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Runner-Pick-Up-Tundra-Tacoma-Aisin-CKT040-Clutch-Kit-/321146134384?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac5cd1f70&vxp=mtr

I did mine in September, but the price for the Aisin kit was only $198 then. I also did the rear main, the slave cylinder, shift seats and bushings and the starter contacts while I was in there. She shifts like a new trans now, quiet and smooth like butter. I got the shift seats, bushing and slave from Marlin Crawler.

The rear main looked like it was seeping a little so it was time at 160k.

 

[the great him]

i have always likes centerforce clutches, infact any time i have to replace a clutch that is they only thing i replace it with. all of my trucks have had CF clutches and i have never had one i dont like. -they feel factory but have way more holding power and last much longer, id dare say unless you are racing or in competition its the last clutch you will ever have to install in your vehicle